Number: RS21011
Title: The Stock Market's Response to Dramatic Historical Events
Authors: Mark Jickling, Government and Finance Division 
Abstract: The events of September 11, 2001 have caused speculation that the U.S. stock market may crash when trading resumes. History, however, suggests that there is no uniform pattern in which bad news is followed by a stock market plunge. This report presents data on the stock market response to four episodes: Pearl Harbor, the Kennedy assassination, the October 1987 stock market crash, and the Asian financial crisis of 1997.
Pages: 4
Date: Updated September 14, 2001